Cutting reading head off, HGST 2.5" 1TB

[SirForensic]

Hi,

I know in some cases the hard drive reading heads that have platter damage can be cut off.

I have Hitachi 2.5" 1TB (HTS541010A9E632) that has a scratched H1 platter, other platters are okay. Can this model head be cut off and still image the rest of the platters?

Ideas and experience about this would be appreciated.

[pepe]

yes. Basically any HDD can be done like that.

pepe

[fzabkar]

yes. Basically any HDD can be done like that.

I've seen cases (reported by DR pros) where this doesn't work. Is it because the headmap was not edited?

[pepe]

I don't know why others cannot do it, i know i can, so it is possible...

[fzabkar]

I don't know why others cannot do it, i know i can, so it is possible...

Some firmware appears to test all the heads during the POST and won't spin up the drive if a head fails.

[pepe]

yes, some of them do.

[Doomer]

yes. Basically any HDD can be done like that.

pepe

I had some problems on Panther B/C drives.

[SirForensic]

Thanks for clues and answers.

I don't know why others cannot do it, i know i can, so it is possible...

So far successful experience cutting WD and Seagate heads and those do need firmware/head map edit.

With this Hitachi drive I have no experience at all, is there something I need to know about it before cutting the head off?

[eazycut]

It is like fzabkar says.

Newer hdd:s and some older ones checks if all heads are present. Which hdd:s it is that support this you need to find out by yourself.
Instead of cutting you bend the head so its still present but not touching the surface.

[pepe]

bending it does not guarantee it will be detected, especially if it is already bad...
pepe

[eazycut]

Of course it is not an guarantee. I did never talk about the detection, i was talking about another way instead of cutting heads.
If patient heads are contaminated and you are able to clean the rest of the heads it could be usable. Up to you as dr engineer to decide.
But safest way is to use new heads if someone is not used to do this type of shit

All the best!